Automatic sheet throwout apparatus



Nov. 11, 1952 A MOORE A 2,617,528

AUTOMATIC SHEET THROWOUT APPARATUS Nov. 11, 1952 L. A.'MooR|-:

AUTOMATIC SHEET THROWOUT APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3..

Filed July 29, 1946 OIM w mmm NQ JM. mmm\ C m f .NQ w

MS\ Sw N uw Nov. l1, 1952' A. MOORE 2,617,528

AUTOMATIC SHEET THROWOUT APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 4@MWh/w wwf@ Nov. l1, 1952 A. MOORE 2,617,528

AUTOMATIC SHEET THRowoUT APPARATUS Filed July 29, 194e 8 sheets-sheet 5wi SA f'zvenof.- lawrencaoore.

BAM/Mm] MAM Nov. 11, 1952 A. MOORE AUTOMATIC SHEET THROWOUT APPARATUS'Filed July 29, i946 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 9 0 w 3 6 2 3 3 z 1@ 7 2 Z 2%/ w G/1/ N 2 gv -2 Aj J MJ 2.

Nov. 1l, 1952 AA MooRE AUTOMATIC SHEET THRowoUT APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet7 Filed July 29, 1946 www..

Nov. 1l, 1952 L. A. MOORE 2,617,528

Y AUTOMATIC SHEET THROWOUT APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet8 [azurerpcgdyjore Patented Nov. 1.1, 1952 UN ITED' STA-TESS ePrice-AiUClOlYvIATICv SHEET-'THROWOUT' APPARATUS Lawrence A. .Moore Elkhart,Ind., assignonby mesne. assignments; to American'Coating MillsCorporatioxn-a corporation of Delaware Application July.29-,-1946,.Serial No. 686-,838

20"Claims.

My invention relates, generally, tothehandling of paper inweb orstripand sheet form andy it.. has. particular relation tovapparatusfordetecty ing and automatically throwing out. sheetscon-fntaining defects,isuch as holes and ragged edges.

My present invention .is particularly. adapted foruse with thesheetcutting and delivery means disclosed and claimed inmy copending.applica. tion Serial No.. 566,559, vled December -4,.1944,. now PatentNumber 2,427,223, issued September 9, 19.47', and assigned .tothe.assignee. of..this. application. It will .be understood, however,`that. the present invention is `not limited `for usesolely.- with suchapparatusbut that it may beused with` other sheet cuttingand delivery.means..v Refers ence may behad to my patentaforesaid. for a` morecomplete discription ofcertain of the sheet handlingand deliverymeanswhich -Will bere.- ferred to briefly herein.

As .pointed .ou-t in my patent aforesaid itis.

necessary to. provide .for handling A,continuously the sheets astheyarecutfrom the-Web or stripsince the latter is formedin acontinuouslyoperating papery makingprocess. As long-asthe strip is. being.vmanufactured .by the paper :making f process, it mustbe disposed ofsubstantiallywith- Y outl interruption. For ,this purposew means arevprovided lfor. cutting theA strip into, twostrips Aand thenforindividually cutting the ttwo strips thusr \30 may bev different for.the' sheets being cut from The sheets are lconveyedl away formed intosheets` ofthe desired length -which the 4two strips. from-the knives bysuitable -carrier means fand are piled ona lay.boy.- After thestacksonvthel are removed `and prepared for further processing 1 lay boyhavev reachedthe desiredheights, they or shipment as` the casemay be.

It is'desirable and ingmost cases, it is-essential that the sheets piledonthe lay vboygcontain no defects such as holes orl ragged edges.; Onerea.- son for this is that sheets .containing defects' may injureor,.ruin the ldies which are employed in processing `thesheetsintocartons,.boxes; and the Of course,l it .is possible ,for the; :operatorsat the `lay-laoy to examine each-sheetior the prese ence ofdefects and.to discardvsheets containing the saine. HoWever,-there is alimit tothespeed at which sheets can be piled-.and examined .visually bytheoperators. Moreover, the operators will'quickly.. tire in case defectsyappear in sev-- eral sheets,.one after the other.

It follows thatit .is'desirablefto provide some means which will.detectthe presence. of .a defect...

and as a result will discard the sheets containing the same. When itisrecalled that...th.e..sheet handling yapparatus must .functioncontinuously, f,

it .will be appreciatedthat specially designedap; paratusmust beemployed for achievingthisresult.

Among thev objectsA of my .present `invention:A To detect4 the. presenceof .a defectinthe strip. before y.it is vcutto sheets. and.todiscard.auto... matically the .sheet containing'the ,.defect;` .toemploy light .sensitive .means -to detect., the. def f feet; to.registerv .the defect .on strirnrecordingL means;. to register thesheetcontainingthe. de.-.

fect on sheet recording means; to direct vthe..

sheet` containing vthe defect by a sheet. director toa .throwout table.;tov operate thesheet direc-` tor..only -in the space between adjacentsheets;

to adjust the sheet recording means .in .accord-- ance with thelengthofthe sheetr being..cut;.. to. cut the sheets from the .strip byreither...of .two` knives arranged in tandemand .to control the`operation of thesheet director. in accordance with theiknife.,beingused;y and toV feed .a .strip toeachknifeso astocut two sheets ,atthesame time and to. .control the operation of a throw out directorindividual to .eachknife Other. objects of my invention .wilLin partbe..

obvious and in part appear hereinafter.,

My. invention is disclosed inthe embodiments thereatv shown in. theaccompanying drawings,

and .it comprises the .features of construction,

combination of elements and arrangement ,ofV parts which will 'beexeniplied in the construc, tions hereinafter setforth and the scopeof.thev

application. of-which will be indicatedin the appended claims.

For a more complete understandingof the nature and scope of myinventionreerence can behadto the following detailed description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1A andlB'taken together by placing the same `end to endillustrate diagrammatically one embodiment-of my invention in which thestrip is fed to a single knife and only onesheet is cut at a time; A

Figures 2AA and 2B taken together by being,` placed end to endillustrate, diagrammaticallmV another embodiment of my invention inIwhichthe sheets can be cut by either of two knives arranged in tandem;

Figure 3 illustrates, diagrammatically,` the simultaneous cutting ofsheets from two vstrips by individual knives;

Figure 4 is a view which illustrates, .diagrammatically, how a bank oflamps placed on one side of the strip can cooperate with light sensitivedevices placed at the focal points of parabolic reflectors on theopposite side of the strip for detecting defects therein;

Figure 5 is a view, in side elevation, of the parabolic reiiectors;

Figure 6 is a View, in end elevation, of the reflectors shown in Figure5;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the reectors shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in section,showing the details of construction of the pin wheel assemblies;

Figure 9 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, ofthe pin wheel assembly shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a perpspective view of a portion :of the carrier and showshow a sheet containing a defect is directed to a throw out table while asheet containing no defect is delivered to the lay boy.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1A and 1B of the drawings, it willbe noted that a web or strip IB is fed over a calender roll II fromthepaper making machine and between guide rolls I2 and I3 past defectdetecting means, illustrated generally at I4. The defect detecting meansis provided to detect the presence of holes or ragged edges in the stripI which will thereafter appear in the sheets that are cut therefrom. Itis the purpose of the present invention to ascertain the particularsheet in which the defect will appear and to provide for discarding thesame.

The defect detecting means I4 may comprise a bank of incandescent lampsI5 which are disposed crosswise of the strip Ill and underneath thesame. The light rays from the lamp I5 will pass through any holes thatmay be present in the strip I and will impinge upon a photo-cell I6. Aswill hereinafter appear, the photo-cell I6 is positioned at the focalpoint of a parabolic reflector so that it is unnecessary to employ morethan one photo-cell I6 for each strip that is being cut. The photo-cellI6 is connected to an amplifier I1, which may be of conventionalconstruction, whose output may be applied to an operating winding I8 ofa defect detecting relay shown generally at i9 and having normally opencontacts 20. It will be understood that the contacts 2U are closed eachtime that the light rays from the lamps I5 impinge upon the photo- VcellI6 and that they remain closed as long as this condition continues toexist. Y

The strip I may be cut lengthwise by a slitter disc 2| that is locatedon top of the strip I0 and cooperates with a roller 22 positionedthereunder. As will hereinafter appear, three slitter discs 2| and threecooperating rollers 22 are employed for longitudinally cutting the stripIl. The outside discs trim the edges of the strip YIIJ while the middleor intermediate disc 2I is positioned so as to cut the strip Ill intothe desired Widths to nform the sheets which are to be cut therefrom.

After the strip I0 is trimmed and cut, it is passed over knife feedingmechanism, shown generally at 24. In describing the invention asembodied in the construction illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, it willbe considered that only a single strip is fed to the knife feedingmechanism 24. As will appear hereinafter, two strips may be handledbyrit but, for present purposes, as indicated, only the feeding of asingle strip will be considered.

p drive that is illustrated, generally, at 30.

The knife feeding mechanism 24 includes pull or draw rolls 25 and 26between which the strip I0 is fed to a rotary knife 21 which severs thesheet as indicated at 28 from the strip.

The width of the sheets 28 is determined by the distance apart of theslitter discs 2i. Their length is determined by the speed at which theknife 21 revolves. Since the strip Ii) is fed t0 the knife 21 at a fixedspeed, such as'at a speed of 25() feet per minute, a longer strip willbe obtained by reducing the speed of the knife 21 and a shorter sheetwill be obtained by increasing its speed of rotation.

The rotary knife 21 may be driven by a motor 29 through a conventionalReeves variable speed The Reeves drive 30 includes pulleys 3l and 32which are connected together Aby belts, pulley 3| being driven from themotor 23 and pulley 32 driving a pulley 33 mounted on a shaft 34 whichcarries the knife 21. The motor 25 may be slidably mounted on a baseplate 35 and can be moved relative thereto by a manually operable crank35. The arrangement is such that by variably positioning the motor 29 onthe base plate 35, the driving ratio of the Reeves drive 30 is varied toeiect corresponding variations in the speed at which the knife 21 isrotated. It will be understood that the Reeves drive 35 is ofconventional construction and that other equivalent drives can beemployed. Moreover, it will be understood that the motor 29 may bestationarily mounted on the base 35 and that provision may be made toobtain the speed variation between the pulleys 3| and 32. Since thevariable speed drive is conventional and, per se, forms no part of thepresent invention, the details of its construction will not be set forthfurther herein. Of course, it will be understood that the manuallyoperable crank 36 may be replaced by a' remotely controlled motor driveand that a. suitable indicator can be provided for the purpose ofshowing the length of the sheets 28 that are being cut by the knife 21for any given speed thereof.

The sheets 2S may be conveyed away from the knife 21 by a belt 49 thatforms a partof a carrier illustrated, generally, at 4I. The belt 40comprises a plurality of, such assixteen, narrow belts, which serve toconvey the sheets 28 as they are cut away from the knife 21 at a speedwhich is -substantially higher than the speed at which the strip I0 isfed thereto. For example, the carrier 4I may be arranged to move thesheets 28 at a speed of 300 feet per minute. The carrier 4I includes abelt 42 which cooperates with the belt v4i] and which passes over a`delivery roll 43, the

speed of rotation of which is a function of the speed of movement of thesheets 28.

The carrier 4I also includes delivery belts 44 and 45 between which thesheets 23 are conveyed -to a lay boy that is indicated, generally, at4B.

A sheet director or throw out bar or blade 41 located between theconveyor belts 4-42 and 44-45 serves to direct the sheets 28 either tothe lay boy 46 or, when operated by an electropneumatic operatingmechanism 48, to a throw out table shown generally at 49. It will beunderstood that the sheet Vdirector 41 will normally occupy the positionshown in Figure V1A of the drawings when the sheets 23 are to beconveyed to the lay boy 46. When a sheet containing a defect, such as ahole or a ragged edge, approaches the director 41, means are provided,as will be described in detail hereinafter, for energizing the mechanism48 to operate the sheet director 41 g, sothat the defective sheetvwillbe directed to the-` throw out table 49 `rather than beingypermitted tobe conveyed by the belts 44-45 to the lay boy 46.

The strip slitting and conveying mechanism, the knife and the sheethandling mechanism briefly described hereinbefore are described indetail in my patent referred to hereinbefore. Accordingly, a morecomplete description thereof will not be set forth here.

For energizing the various relays and operating windings illustrated inFigures 1A and 1B of the drawings, a control bus comprising jconductors52 and 53 may be connected by. a double pole switch 54 to a suitablesource of alternat-A ing current, such as a 110 volt 60 cycle source.However, it will be understood that any other suitable control sourcecan be employed suchas other voltages or other frequencies or that adirect current source can be used. It will be` understood that thepresent invention is described using a 110 Volt 60 cycle source toprovide the necessary control voltage.

On closure of the switch 54 conductors 52 and 53 are energized. Anoperating winding 55 of a time delay relay, shown generally at 59, isthen energized and its normally open contacts .51 are closed at theexpiration of the time for. which the relay is set. This time delay. isprovided in order to permit the thermionic valve in the amplifier. I1 tobecome heated to their operatingtemperatures before any attempt is madeto initiate `the function of the defect detecting system. One result ofthe closure of contacts 51` is to effect energization of an indicatinglamp58 which, by its continued energization, indicates that the timedelay relay 56 is energized.

The closure ofV contacts 51 alsocompletes an energizing circuit beforean operating winding 59 of a control relay, shown generally at 60,provided that contacts 29 of the defect detecting relay I9 are closed asa result of the detection of a defect in strip i0. The control relay 69has normally open contacts 5l which, when closed, energize an indicatinglamp 52 which, by its being lighted, indicates that the control relay E9is energized and that a defect is in the processof being detected.

The control relay 60 also has ynormally open contacts 63 which arearranged to complete an energizing circuit for an operating winding 64of an electromagnet which is indicated, generally, at 65. Theelectromagnet 65 is operatively connected through a linki and a shaft 61to rock a cam 68 for depressing one or more pins 69 that are carriednear the periphery of a pin wheel 19. The pin wheel 19 and theelectromagnet 65 comprise what may be herein termed as strip recordingmeans that is indicated, generally, at 1| The presence of a defect inthe strip l0 is recorded on the strip recording means 1| by thedepression of one or more pins 99. The details of construction of thepin wheel 19 will be set forth hereinafter. For present purposes ageneral description will suflice.

The pin wheel 19 is connected to be mechani-l cally driven, as indicatedat 12, by pull roll 26 in a direction indicated by the arrow 13. It willbe understood that suitable reduction gearing is provided between thepull roll 29 and the pin wheel and that the mechanical connection 12 ismerely a diagrammatic representation of this mechanical interconnection.It is important to note here that the pin wheel10 is driven at a speedwhich corresponds to the 'speedat which:

the strip l0 is fed to the-knife 21.v

photo-cell I6 to thevpoint where the vblade-21 will cut off the sheet 28*which willcontainfthe defect. The cam 16 is rockably mounted withashaft-611 for rocking'a'movable contact 18 out-.of engagementwith-astationary contact 19 and into engagement with anotherstationary'contact .80.`

A spring 8| serves to bias the movable contact 18 and the cam rllito thepositions shown by the full lines in Figure 1B.

In operation of .the` cam 16 the record'of the defect previouslyappliedto theY strip :recording means 1| is transferred to a holdingrelay-by energization of a portion 82 'of operating winding o 83, therelay itself' being indicated, generally,V at- 84. The relay 84 is whatis conventionally known as a mechanically held alternating currentvrelay. Once its winding 82; is energized the-armature" thereof ismovedto an alternate positionandY normally closed contacts85are openedtoopen the energizing circuit to the winding 82. The construction of therelayiis such that it is mechanically 'held in the closed position'bythe Yresidual magnetism in its armature. Afrelay -of this type ismanufactured by Allen-Bradley Company and is identified as Bulletin'YOU-Type BMT mechanically held alternating current relay. i Theftfunctioning of this relay is described'in detail in 5 Wilnis etal.Patent No.'2,297f,339.1 The relay-84: includes normally open contacts.86'which,` when closed, serve to prepare an energizing circuit for ithe complete winding 83 for effecting deenergization of the relay. The;relayx84 yalso includes normally open contacts 31 which complete a ,cir'cuit through control 'contacts S8 `to "energize a winding 89 of anelectromagnet'whichfis shown, generally, at 99. The electromagnet 99 issimi-.- lar to the electromagnet `:65 and isk arranged. to

operate througha link9l' and shaft 92 to rockjav cam 93 for depressingone or morepins 94which are located near the periphery ofv a pintwheel95. The pin :wheel 95 and electromagnet 90 togethermay be -termedassheet recording `means and are indicated, generally, at 96.

ticular `sheet or sheets containing a defect vor defectsand `which sheetor sheets `shouldbe discarded by operation ofthe sheet director 41. The

pin wheel 95 is mechanically connected, as indi'- cated at 91, to thedelivery roll 43 `so that it roe that-the pin wheel 95 ,rotates asindicated by.

the arrow 98.

Arcuately spacedv from: the cam `93..,is a cam" IBI which is arrangedto. be rocked by. the de` pressed pin or pins and through a shaft |02vto rock a movable contact |03 out of engagement with a stationarycontact |04 andintovengage-l ment with a stationary contact .I 05. |06yserves to bias the movable contact |93 and likewise the cam |01 to thepositions shown by,

the full lines in Figure 1A of the drawings.

It is desired-thatthearcuate distance between;

The .sheet Y recording means 96is. provided to record the par- A springtheA cam 93 and the cam |0I correspond to the length of the sheet 28being out. This can be accomplished by varying the relative positions ofthe cams 93 and IOI in accordance with the speed at which the knife 21is rotated by the motor 29. In order to adjust the position of the camwith respect to the cam 93, the former, together with the movablecontacts |03 and stationary contacts |04 and |05 is mounted on a plate|01, a sector shaped portion of which is shown, and it is arranged to bemechanically connected by a rod |08, or other suitable means, to a lever|09 which may be connected by a link |I0 and a frame ||I to be moved onmovement of the motor 29. Thus when the position of the motor 29 isshifted to vary the speed of the knife 21, a corresponding movement ofthe plate |01 takes place to effect a corresponding shift in the arcuatedistance between the cams 93 and |0I. It will be obvious that othersuitable mechanical connections can be provided to the plate |01 so thatits position will be controlled in accordance with the adjustment of theReeves drive 3i), the particular arrangement shown and described beingfor illustrative purposes only.

When the cam |0| is operated an `energizing circuit is partly completedat stationary contacts |05 for energizing the portion |I5 of a winding||6 which comprises the operating winding of a mechanically held relayindicated, generally, at I I1. The relay I1 is similar to themechanically held relay 84, previously referred to. It includes normallyclosed contacts I I8 which serve to open the energizing circuit for thewinding I|5 and normally open contacts I9 which serve to partly completean energizing circuit for the full winding IIB. The relay ||1 alsoincludes normally open contacts |20 which, when closed, serve toenergize the operating winding of the electropneumatic operatingmechanism 48.

As previously indicated, it is desired that the mechanism 48 not beenergized to move the sheet director 41 except when it can be moved inthe space between adjacent sheets. The reason for this is to preventoperation thereof while a sheet is passing over it so as to preventjamming of the mechanism.

It is for this purpose that space detecting means, shown generally at I2I, are provided. The space detecting means I2| comprises a photo-cell|22 on which light rays can impinge from a light source |23 as reectedby a mirror |24. The mirror |24 is positioned below the sheet as it isconveyed to the sheet director 41 and thus is masked thereby except forthe space between the ends of successive sheets. It will be apparentthat the light rays from the source |23 will impinge upon the photocell|22 only when the space between adjacent sheets registers with themirror |24. Y

The photo-cell |22 controls the operation of a thermionic amplier |25whose output is applied to an operating winding |26 of a space detectingrelay that is shown, generally, at |21. The relay |21 includes normallyopen contacts |28 which must be closed to complete the energizingcircuit for the winding |I5. Since they are closed only while the spacebetween adjacentsheets registers with the mirror |24, it will beunderstood that the sheet director control relay ||1 will be operatedonly during this intervaleto effect operation of the sheet director 41.Likewise, normallyY open contacts |29 are provided on the spacedirecting relay |21 to permit energization of the full winding ||6 fordeenergizing the relay ||1 and operating the sheet director 41 back tothe position shown in Figure 1A of the drawings.`

Since the operation of the sheet director control relay I |1 isinitiated by operation of the cam ||l| and it is necessary to effectenergization of the space detecting relay |21 before the relay ||1 canbe operated, particular attention must be paid to the positioning of thecam |0| with respect to the cam 93. As indicated hereinbefore thearcuate spacing therebetween is controlled in accordance with the speedof rotation of the knife 21. It may now be pointed out that this arcuatedistance for any particular speed of the knife 21 corresponds to thedistance between the leading edge 28 of the sheet 2S just cut'by theknife 21 and the reflected light rays from the mirror |24 less about onefoot. This adjustment insures that a circuit will be completed throughstationary contact |05 just prior to the instant that the mirror |24 isunmasked by the sheet immediately preceding the sheet containing adefect so that the functioning of the sheet director 41 can be initiatedas soon as the space de tecting relay |21 is energized for thatparticular space, it being understood that the space detecting relay |21is energized each time that theV mirror |24 is unmasked;

In order to eiect deenergization of the holding relay 84 normally opencontacts |39 are provided. These contacts are arranged to be operated byan operating bar |3| that is common to these contacts as well as tocontacts S38. The arrangement is such that contacts 8B are closed ashort interval before contacts |30 are closed. The operating bar |3| isbiased upwardly by a spring |32 to open the contacts 83 and |30. The bar|3| has a projection |33 that is arranged to be engaged by a projection|34 from a circular cam |35 that is mounted for rotation with the knife21. As indicated, it may be mounted on an extension of the shaft 34. Thecam |35 is so adjusted thatV it effects the closure of contacts 88 atthe instant after the knife 21 cuts off the sheet 28 containing thedefect.

In operation, on closure of switch 54, conductors 52 and 53 areenergized, as'previously described. At the same time over conductors andIf'l, connected to conductors 52 and 53, conductors |42 and |43 areenergized to energize '.lamps i5, amplifier i1 and winding 55 of thetime delay After the 'time for which the relay 56 is set, its contacts51 are closed and indicating lamp 58 is lighted. Energization ofconductors 52 and 53 also results in energization of the ampiier .|25 ofthe space detecting means I2 As long as the stripY i contains nodefects, such as holes or ragged edges,V the light rays from the lampsI5 are prevented from impinging on the photo-cell l5 and defectdetecting relay I9 remains.'deenergizedV The strip I0 is fed to theknife 21 and sheets 28 are cut therefrom. Sheets are conveyed bythevcarrier 4| past the sheet director 41, which occupies the positionshown in Figure 1A of the drawings, to the lay boy 46. Since the sheetsare conveyed away from the knife 21 at a speed which is higher than thatat which the strip Iii is fed to the knife 21, there will be a spacebetween successive sheets. The mirror |214 is unmasked as each of thesespaces appear and, as previously described, the space detecting relay|21 is operated for each of these spaces.

Assuming now that a defect, such as a hole, is present in the strip I0as it moves between the lamps I5 and the .pho'toc'ell'l the light raysfrom the former will impinge upon the latter and defect detecting relayI9 will be operated to close its contacts 20. These contacts will remainclosed as long as the light rays from the lamps I5 continue to impingeupon the photo-cell I6.

The closure of contacts 20 completes a circuit for energizing Winding 59of control relay 60 which may be traced from energized conductor |43through contacts 51, conductor |44, contacts 26, conductor |45, winding59, to energized conductor |40.

As a result of the energization of winding 59, contacts 6| are closed tocomplete an obvious energizing circuit for the indicating lamp 92. At

contacts 63 a circuit is completed for energizing.

winding 64 of the electromagnet 65 which may be traced from theenergized conductor |4I through contacts 63, conductor |46, winding 64,and conductor |41 to energized conductor 52.

Cam 68 is rocked by the electromagnet 85 to depress one or more of thepins 69 in the pin wheel 18 as the same is rotated past the cam 68. Aslong as the winding G4 is energized, the cam 68 will be rocked todepress the pins 69. Means are provided, as will appear hereinafter, forresetting the pins 69 just prior to their arriving at the position wherethey can be depressed by the cam 68. Obviously, the number of pinsdepressed at any one time will be determined by the length of time thatthe control relay 90 is energized and that this in turn will depend uponthe extent of the defect in the strip i3. For present purposes it may beassumed that the defect comprises a single hole in the strip I and thatonly one of a few of the pins 69 are depressed. As soon as the lamps I5are masked, light therefrom no longer impinges on the photo-oeh I6 andrelay I9 is deenergized. Control relay 59 is deenergized, indicatinglamp 62 is extinguished, and winding 64 is deenergized. However, therecord of the defect is registeredA on the strip recordingr means 1| andit is translated into a movement of the cam 16 by the depressed pin orpins engaging the same. Movable contact 18 is operated to engagestationary contacts 30 for completing a circuit to energize winding 82of the holding relay 84.

The circuit for energizing winding 82 may be traced from energizedconductor 53 through conductor |48, movable contact 18, stationarycontact 89, conductor |49, closed contacts 85, conductor I 50, andwinding 82 to energized conductor 52. Immediately upon energization ofwinding 82, contacts 95 are opened and this winding is deenergized.However, because of the characteristics of the magnetic circuit of thisrelay, previously referred to, it remains in the operated position untilthe complete winding 33 is subsequently energized.

At contacts 81 an energizing circuit is completed for energizing winding89 of electromagnet 99 which forms a part of the sheet recording means96. This circuit extends through contacts 88 which, it will be recalled,are closed at the instant that the knife 21 cuts the sheet containingthe defect from the strip I0.

This circuit may be traced from energized con-. ductor I4I throughcontacts 81, conductor I 5I, contacts 89, conductor |52, winding 89 andconductor |53 to energized conductor 52.

In the meantime movable contact 18 has been returned to engagement withstationary contact 19. As -a result, on closure of contacts |30, acircuit is -completed for energizing the full winding 83 of the holdingrelay 84. This circuit may be traced from energized conductor 53 through10 conductor |48, movable contact 18, stationary contact 19, conductor|54, contacts |30, conductor |55, closed contacts 86, conductor |56 andwinding 83 to conductor 52. Holding relay 84 is, thereupon, deenergized,its contacts 81 are opened and winding 89 is deenergized.

The defec-t, previously registered on the holding relay 84, is nowtransferred to the sheet recording means 96 o-n operation of cam 93 todepress one or more of the pins 94. In the meantime, the sheet 28containing the defect is travelling from the knife 21 toward the sheetdirector 41. At the time that its leading edge is about one foot awayfrom the reflected beam from the mirror |24, cam I0| is rocked by thedepressed pin to move contact |03 into engagement with contact |05 forpartially completing an energizing circuit for winding ||5 ofsheetdirector control relay I I1. This circuit is completed at contacts|28 at the instant that the mirror |24 is unmasked by the sheetimmediately preceding the sheet which co-ntains the defect. f

The circuit for energizing winding II5 may be traced from energizedconductor 53 through conductor |51, movable contact |03, stationarycontact |05, conductor |58, contacts |28, conductor |59, break contactsII8, conductor I 60, winding II5 and conductor I6I to energizedconductor 52.

Relay |I1 is energized and at contacts I|8 the energizing circuit forwinding I I5 is opened. Moreover, because of the characteristics of themagnetic circuit of this relay, it remains in the energized conditionuntil the armature is demagnetized by energization of the completewinding IIB.

The energization of relay II 1 closes contacts |20 and completes anobvious energizing circuit for the electropneumatic operating mechanism48. The sheet director 41 is operated to the throw out position and thesheet containing the defect is directed to the throw out table 49. Sinceit has been assumed that the defect occurs in a single sheet only, it isdesired that the sheet director 41 be returned to the position shown inFigure 1A of the drawings before the next sheet, which may be assumed tobe a perfect sheet, passes the sheet director 41. However, it isnecessary to prevent operation of the director 41 back to the normalposition until it can be accomplished in the space between the trailingedge of the sheet just thrown out and the leading edge of the nextsheet.

Under the assumed conditions the cam IOI will have been restored to itsnormal position by the spring |06 and movable contact |03 will engagestationary contact |04. As soon as the space just referred to appears,space detecting relay |21 will be energized and contacts |29 will beclosed to complete energizing circuit for the winding IIB.

This energizing circuit can be traced from energized conductor 53through conductor |51, movable contact |03, stationary contact |04,conductor |62, contacts II9, conductor |63, contacts |29, conductor |64,winding IIS, and conductor |6I to energized conductor 52. The armatureof relay I'I1 is thereupon demagnetized by the alternating current andthe contacts thereof are restored to the positions shown in Figure 1A ofthe drawings.

As long as no defects are detected by the defect detecting means I1 thesheets will continue to be -delivered to the lay boy 46. However, on theoccurrence of another defect, the foregoing cycle of operations will berepeated and the sheet containing the same will be discarded to thethrow out table 49. In the event that the defect appears in successivesheets, for example, when'a tear extends through several sheets, thesheet director 41 Will remain in the operated position to throw outsuccessively the imperfect sheets and will not be returned to the normalposition until a perfect sheet is fed thereto.

The description of the system illustrated in Figures 1A-1B has proceededon the assumption that the strip I is trimmed to provide a single stripof the desired width and that a single knife 21 is provided for cuttingthe same into sheets. In order to speed up production and to permit 4thecutting of sheets of different lengths and different widths at the sametime, the sheet I0, as illustrated in Figure 3, can be cut by threeslitter discs 2| into two strips |68 and |69. These strips may betermed, respectively, the 4back strip and the front strip. By adjustingthe position of the intermediate slitter disc 2 I, it is possible tovary the relative widths of the strips |68 and |69.

The front strip |69 may be cut by the knife 21, previously referred to,and now identified further as the back knife. The back strip may be cutby a front knife |10, which is located in tandem with the back knife 21.The knives 21 and |19 are arranged to cut sheets |1| and |12,respectively, from the strips |69 and |68. It will be noted that thesheets |1| and |12 are of different widths. This, it will be recalled,is c-ontrolled by the position of the intermediate slitter disc 2|. Thelength of each of the sheets I1| and |12 is controlled by the speed atwhich the respective knives 21 and |10 rotate since the strips |69 and|68 are fed thereto at a constant speed. In this manner it is possibleto control both the width and the length of the individual sheets |1|and |12.

In order to detect the presence of defects in the sheets |1| and |12 itis necessary to provide defect detecting means individual thereto. Forthis purpose, as illustrated in Figure 3, two parabolic reectors |14 and|15 are provided, each being individual to the portions of the stripthat are cut into the strips'l68 and |69. They are located as far inadvance of the knives 21 and |10, as is conveniently possible so as toprovide a maximum amount of time for initiating the functioningI of thecontrol operations as the result of the detection of a defect.

As illustrated more fully in Figure 4 of the drawings, the parabolicreflectors |14 and |15 are located above the strip I6 and the lamps l5are located below the same. Obviously their positions could be reversedwithout departing from the invention. Two photoelectriccells 6 areprovided, one for each of the reflectors |14 and |15 and they arelocated at the focal points thereof. Thus, light rays passing through anaperture in the strip i9 underneath either of the reflectors |14 or |15at any position along its length will be reflected onto the individualphoto-cell I6. In this manner only ay single photo-cell E6 is requiredfor each of the reflectors |14 and |15 rather than requiring a pluralityof them if such an arrangement were not employed.

The details and construction of the reflectors |14 and |15 areillustrated more clearly in 'Fig'- ures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. Asthere shown, the two reflectors |14 and 115 are formed in a unitaryconstruction with a substantial degree of overlap so as to permit thecuttingof relatively narrow front strips and relatively wide back stripsand vice versa. It is desired that the apertures to the reflectors |14and |15 correspond to the width of the strips |56 and |69 individualthereto that are being cut by the cutter discs 2|. For this purpose, asshown in Figure 1, the reiiector |14 is provided at its left hand endwith an adjustable slide |15 which may be secured in position Vby a setscrew |11. At the other end there is provided a relatively long slide|13 the position of which may be controlled by a rod |19. rhe slides |15and |18 are located in suitable grooves in the underside of thereflector |14 so as to permit relative movement. Likewise the reflector|15 has a short slide |8| that may be held in place by an adjustingscrew |62. It also has a relatively long slide |83 which is adjustableby a rod |84. The slides |16 and |18 of the reiiector |14 and the slides.18| and |83 of the reilector |15 are adjusted in accordance with thewidths of the strips |69 and |69 so as to correspond substantiallythereto with a slight overlap at the ends of the relatively long slides|18 and |83. By these means the photo-cells I6 individual to thereflectors |14 and |15 are enabled to detect defects which willeventually appear in either of sheets |12 or |11. In this manner it ispossible to select the particular sheet of the two sheets being cut inthe diiferent strips which should be discarded. The manner in which thisis accomplished will be set forth in detail hereinafter.

If the back strip |56 were always out on the front knife |15) and thefront strip |59 were aiways cut on the back knife 21, automatic defectdetecting means could be provided by using the system illustrated inFigures lA-lB in duplicate. After the strip |6 is cut by the cutterdiscs 2|, there is no necessary correlation betwen the handling of thestrips |58 and |69 thereafter.

However, it is desired that provision be made for cuttingI the backstrip |66 on either the front knife |16 or the back knife 21. Likewise,it is desired that provision be made for cutting the front strip oneither the back knife 21 or the front knife |19. By such provision theflexibility of the strip and sheet cutting and handling means is greatlyincreased. However, because of the different relative locations cf theback and front knives 21 and |19 with respect to the reflectors |14 and|15 and the sheet directors |24, one of which is provided for each ofthe two sheets being cut simultaneously, it is necessary to modify thesystem shown in Figures lA and 1B and to provide certain additionalduplicate equipment to permit the use of either of the knives 21 or |19for cutting either the front strip |59 or the back strip |68 as the casemay be.

Accordingly, reference may now be had to Figures ZA-ZB of the drawings.It will be understood that the apparatus there shown is for use with thefront strip |69, for example, for permitting the same to be cut eitherby the back knife 21 or the front knife |19. When the strip is being cutby the back knife 21, the sheets cut thereby may be indicated by thereference character lli which was used in Figure 3 of the drawings. Nowwhen the same strip is fed to the front knife |19 so that it is cutthereby, rather than by the back knife 21, the sheets then cut may beindicated by the reference character |89 as applied to the broken line.

For detecting the presence of a defect in the sheets cut from the backstrip it, it will be understood that a duplicate of the apparatus shownin Figures 2A-2B is employed beginning with the defect detecting meansi4 and continuingy on through to the control of the sheet director 61individual thereto. Since the apparatus and circuits for the back stripare identical with the apparatus and circuits for the front strip, it isconsidered unnecessary to illustrate and describe this duplicateapparatus herein.

In so far as possible in Figures 2A-2B where the additional apparatus toaccommodate the front knife |10 is employed, the same lreferencecharacters that were previously used for the same apparatus are usedwith a prime in order to indicate the similarity.

At the outset it is pointed out that, when the strip I is cut by theback knife 21, the apparatus and circuits are identical with thoseillustrated in Figures lA-lB and described hereinbefore. When the strip|0 is cut by the front knife |10, the additional duplicate apparatus isrequired as will now be described.

In order to feedI the strip l0 to the front knife |10, the knife feedingmechanism 24 is employed which corresponds, generally, to the knifefeeding mechanism 26. Instead of the strip |0 being fed to the backknife 21, it extends through the mechanism 20 and between pull or drawVrolls 25' and 26.

The front knife may be individually driven by a motor 29 through aReeves varablespeed drive 30'. It will be understood that'a single motor29 may be provided for driving both of the knives 21 and |10 byemploying two Reeves variable speed drive mechanism driven from thesingle motor. However, for illustrative purposes two separate motors29and 29 are shown. The motor 29 drives through pulleys 3| and 32 andpulley 33 mounted on a shaft 36'y to which the knife |10 is mechanicallyconnected. The motor 29' can be shifted relative to the base 35 by acrank 36.

A cam |35' is driven in synchronism with the speed of the front knife|10 for operating switches 83 and |30. These switches have the samefunction as the switches 8S and I 30 which are operated by the cam |35.

Since the front knife |10 is spaced further away from the faultdetecting means I4 than is the back knife 21, it is necessary toprovidel a cam 16 on the strip recording means 1| which is arcuatelyspaced from the cam 16 by a distance which corresponds to the distancebetween the knives 21 and |10. Since the strip |0 is fed to either theknife 21 or the knife |10 at the same speed, thel pin wheel 10 can bedriven from either the pull roll 26 orthe pull roll 26. As shown in thedrawings, it is driven from the pull roll 26. The cam 16 is operated inthe same manner as is the cam 16 for moving a movable contact 18' outvofengagement with a stationary contact 19' and into engagement withanother stationary contact 80.

Referring to Figure 2A it will be noted that a second pin wheel 95'forming a part of sheet recording means 96 is employed in conjunctionwith the front knife |10. The sheet recording means 96 compriseselements which are a duplicate of the elements making up the-sheetrecording means 96. L, will be noted that the shiftable plate |01' isconnected by a rod |06 to a lever |09 whose position is controlled inaccordance with the position of the motor 29' so as to position theplate |01' in accordance with the speed at which the front knife |10 isdriven and thereby in accordance with the length of the sheet |89 beingcut thereby.

With a view to transferring from the control apparatus associated withback knife 21 to the control apparatus associated with the front knife|10 for shifting the defect detecting apparatus from one to the other, atransfer relay, shown generally at |90, is employed. The transfer relay|90 may include normally closed contacts |9|, |92, |93 and |94 andnormally open contacts |95, |96, |91 and |98. It also includes anoperating winding |99 the energization of which may be controlled by aSwitch 200; The switch 200 is normally in the open position when thestrip i0 is being fed to and cut by the back knife 21. However, when itis fed to the front knife |10, a finger 20|, attached to the contacts200 is depressed to close the same and complete a circuit for'energizing operating winding |99. It will be understood that-theoperation of the transfer relay |90 shifts the control of the sheetdirector 41 from the cam 16 of the strip recordingmeans '1|A to the cam16'; from the cam |35 and` associated switches 88 and |30 to the cam |35and associated switches 88 and |30; and from the sheet recording means96 to the sheet recording means 96.

vAs previously described, when the strip I0 is cut by the back knife 21the circuits are as illustrated in Figures lA-lB. Accordingly, adetailed description of the functioning of the apparatus shown inFigures 2A-2B With the strip lbeing cut by the back knife 21 will not beset. forth herein. i.

It will be assumed that the strip |0 is being cut by the front knife|10. Accordingly, finger 20| is depressed and contacts 200 are closed tocomplete an energizing circuit for operating winding |99 of the transferrelay |90.

This circuit may be traced from energized conductor 52y throughconductor 202, winding |99, conductor 203, contacts 200, and conductor204 to energized conductor 53.

The operation of transfer relay |90 in this manner effects the openingof normally closed contacts 9| through |94 and the closure of contacts|95 through |98.

Assuming further that a defect occurs in the strip l0 which permitslight rays from the lamps l5 to impinge upon the photo-cell I6, thedefect detecting means |45 is operated, as previously described, toeffect the energization of control relay 60. Winding 64 of theelectromagnet 65 is energized, as previously described, and one or morepins 69 of the pin wheel 10 are depressed.

The depressed pin or pins rst move cam 16. However, no action takes.place as a result of movement cf cam 16 because the circuits throughcontacts 10 and 19 are opened at contacts |9| and |99 of the transferrelay |90. The pins then engage cam 16 and as a result contact 18 ismoved into engagement with stationary contact A circuit is thencompleted for energizing winding 82 of holding relay 86.

This circuit may be traced from energized conductor 53 through conductor204, contacts |91, conductor 205, movable contact 18', stationarycontact 80', conductor |69, contacts B5, conductor |50, and Winding 62to energized conducto;` 52.

At contacts 85 the previously traced energizing circuit for winding 82is opened but the relay still remains in the energized condition as setforth hereinbefore.

At contacts 61 of holding relay 84 a circuit is completed. forenergizing winding 69 of electromagnet This circuit may be traced fromenergized conductor 53 through conductor. |41,

15 contacts 81, conductor contacts |98, conductor- 206, contacts 88(closed by cam |35' at the instant that the sheet |89 is cut by theknife |10), conductor |52, winding 89', and conductor 201 to energizedconductor 52.

It will be observed that windingr 89 is connected in parallel circuitrelation with winding 89' and that it is energized at the same time.However, no control function is accomplished by sheet recording means 96since the circuit to its movable contact |03 through conductor 203 isinterrupted at contacts |92 of the transfer relay |90.

The cam 93 depresses one or more pins 94' of the pin wheel 95.Subsequently they engage and operate cam to shift movable contact |03'into engagement with stationary contact |05. A circuit is then completedfor effecting the energization of the sheet director control relay ||1to operate sheet director 41 in the space between the last perfect sheetand the sheet containing the defect which has been detected. The circuitfor energizing winding ||5 of relay ||1 may be traced from energizedconductor 53 through contacts |96, conductor 209, movable contact |03',fixed contact |05, conductor |58, contacts |28 (closed on operation ofspace detecting relay |21), conductor |59, contacts ||8, conductor |60,winding ||5, and conductorl |9| to energized conductor 52.

The operation of the sheet director 41 in response to operation of relay||1 will then be as previously described.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the strip l0 may becut into sheets either by the front knife |10 or the back knife 21 andthat any defects occurring therein will be detected and the sheetscontaining the same will be automatically discarded. The operation isentirely automatic. The operator does not have to concern himself withany adjustment of the system.

In Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings the mechanical details ofconstruction of the pin wheel 95 are illustrated. As previouslydescribed when front and back strips |69 and |68 are being cut by theknives 21 and |10 duplicate control apparatus is provided for the defectdetecting means. Advantage 'is taken of the fact that the speed at whichthe strip I0 is fed to the knives 21 and |10 is the same for both strips|68 and |69. Likewise the speed at which the sheets are conveyed awayfrom the knives 21 and |10 is the same for each sheet and, accordingly,advantage is taken of this fact to combine the pin wheels for theotherwise independent defect detecting apparatus for each of the strips.It is for this reason that two pin wheels 95 are illustrated in thehousing 2|5 in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. It will be understoodthat one of the pin wheels 95 corresponds, for example, to the pin wheel95 shown in Figure 1A of the drawings and that the other pin wheel shownin Figure 8 is provided for cooperating with the defect detectingapparatus associated with the other strip being cut at the same timethat the strip is being cut which is associated with the pin wheel 95shown in Figure 1A.

It is further pointed out that three pin wheels, as illustrated inFigures 2A-2B of the drawings, are provided for each strip being cutinto sheets. Thus, when two strips are simultaneously being cut by twoknives, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, there will be sixpin wheels. Cor--V responding pin wheels for each strip can be paired,as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings and commonly driven.The pin wheels may all be identical in construction. However, there is aslight difference in the construction of the parts associated. with pinwheel 10 as compared to the parts associated with the pin wheel 95 or95. This difference will be pointed out hereinafter.

The frame or housing 2|5, Shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, isgenerally circular in construction and may be formed of any suitablematerial such as a casting. It has side plates 2|6 and 2 l1 at its endsand has mounted therein a worm 2|8 that drives a worm wheel 2|9. Theworm 2 8 may be mounted on the shaft 91 which, it willY be recalled, isdriven from the delivery roll 43 in accordance with the speed at whichthe sheets are conveyed away from the knives to the lay boy 46. VTheworm wheel 2|9 maybe keyed on a shaft 220 that is journaled in suitablebearings 22| in the side plates 2 6 and 2 1. The shaft 220 also haskeyed thereon the pin wheels 95.

By way of illustration it is pointed out that the pin wheel 95 may havean external diameter of '1 and may be 1 thick at the rim. Sixty-fourpins 94 are slidably mounted inthe rim of theV wheel 95. Their innerends 222 are convex for engagement by the cam 93 on energization of theelectromagnet to depress them from the position shown at the bottom ofFigure 8 to that shown at the top. The other ends 223 are flat.

The pins 94 are recessed as indicated at 224 between their ends toprovide shoulders for engaging a flexible band 225 that is held in placeby a garter spring 226 that is positioned in a slot or groove 221 in theperiphery of the wheel 95. The band 225 serves to limit the movement ofthe pins 94 so as to prevent their being driven through the pin wheelbeyond a predetermined extent.

Provision is made for returning the pins 95 from their operatedpositions by the cam 93 in the form of a return cam 228 which is locatedslightly ahead of the cam 93 so that the pins 94 will always be returnedin readiness for movement by the cam 93 whenever the same is operated.

It will be recalled that the pins '94 which are depressed by the cam 93serve to engage at their opposite ends the cam |0I. This cam is carriedby a shaft |02 which has at its outer end an arm 229 that carries anadjusting screw 230 for operating the switch mechanism which isindicated at 23|. It will be understood that the switch mechanism 23|comprises the movable contact |03, stationary contacts |04 and |05 andspring |96. Any conventional type of switch mechanism suitable for thispurpose can be employed.

The shaft |02 is rockably mounted in a bushing 232 that is carried by ashiftable plate |01, the plate previously referred to whose position iscontrolled in accordance with the speed of rotation of the knifeindividual thereto. The plate |01 has a lug 233 radially projectingtherefrom to which the rod |08 may be attached.

It will be noted that the shaft 92 which carries the cam 93 projectsthrough the housing 2|5. The link 9| at its outer end may be connectedby suitable means (not shown) to the electromagnet 90 for operation asdescribed hereinbefore.

The description of the pin wheels set forth hereinbefore appliesparticularly to the pin wheels 95 and 95'. As previously indicated, thepin wheel 10 is identical in construction to that of the pin wheel 95.However, it is unnecessary 17 toprovide the shiftableplate |01 forthepin `wheel v1|) .since the Adistances between the defect detectingmeans |4 and the knives-21 and |10, Figure 2B, are xed, r-ather thanvariable as is the -case with the other ypin wheels where the lengths ofthe sheets 4are variable. Accordingly, the shiftable `plate |01 can beomitted in the mounting lfor the pin Wheel 10.. Instead, thecams 11E and16' and the associated switch mechanisms can fbelmounted directly on the-side plates l2|l and-2|1. It is again pointed out that two `pin wheels10 are provided in the same housing-v, one for each strip being -cut bytheA front and back knives. Each of the pin wheels 10 will have cams 16and 16' and the associated contacts in order to v'permit the use ofeither the A'front knife or the backknife )for cutting either the frontstrip or the back strip. y n

In Figure l of the drawings afportion of the carrier 4| is illustratedin greaterdetail. vIt will be noted that the 4delivery belt 40 comprisesla plurality of .narrow belts. AI {ikewise the delivery belts 44 and45.A comprise a vplurality of narrow belts for conveying the sheetstothe lay boy "46.

In Figure the sheet director y`41`is illustrated in the .position forthrowing outa `sheet 39 which contains a defect 24S), the defect '240 inthis in- -fstance comprising ahole. When the sheet di# rector 41isoperated to the position shown, the

sheet 239 is directed Ato the throw out table 48 -and is) preventedrom'beifng carried `by the de- "liveryfbelts 44 andl '45 to the lay boy46.

'It will "be observed that a second 'sheet director 24| is `provided forthe lother Sheets land that it can be operated by an electropneumatiooperating mechanism 242. It will beV understood that Ya duplicate of'the apparatus illustrated in -Figures 2A-2B is `provided forcontrolling the functioniilgof Vthemecha'n.isrn"2*12 for, in turn,control-'- ling the position of the sheet director 24|. In Figure 1`0sheets |12, which for 'present purposes are considered as perfectsheets, are being fed over the sheet director 2M and 'conveyed b'y 'delivery belts 44 and V45 to thefl'ay boylll.

vIt has been 'pointed out v'l'lel'lbus'ly 'that't iS not desired tooperate'the "sheet director 41 o'r 24| except during the 'spaceYoccurring"between the trailing edge of one 'sheet and the leading edgeof nthe Ile'Xt Sheet. source |23, mirror |24 and photo-cell |22 'wereused, a false operation might be permitted vin the event that a sheetcontains a relatively large tear or hole. It is unlikely that adefectwillex# tend entirely across the sheet orth'a't twoj defe'ctswill occurin the shee'topposite each other. Accordingly, in order to preventA the`operation `of the sheet director 41, except inthe space between thetrailing end of one sheet and the leading end of the next sheet, twolight sources |23 are pro-` vided for cooperating with two mirrors |24todi'- rect the light rays to photo-cells |22. The 'con'- tacts of theVrelays |21 operated bythe two photocells `|22 are individuallyconnectedv in 'series cir'-l cuit relation sc that the energization ofboth of the Vspace detecting relays |21 is required before the sheetdirector control relay H1 can be 'energize'd.

Likewise, two light sources 243 are provided for cooperating withmirrors 244 and photoec'zellsr 245 t V(':OlJlOl the functioning 0fV*fn'et711a'1iis`In 2'42 which operates the sheet director 24|.

FIOn the foregoing lif-isol'iptiol'l it Will be a10- pare'nt that I haveprovided a control system for detecting defects in strips, such asstrips of "paper and'for determining the particular sheet or If only aVsingle light sheets in-whichthe defects arepresent and which sheets-should be discarded. l".I'he'syst'em is leiible in that two strips canbe cut at'thes'ai'netime by two individually-operablelinives which canoperate at di-iierent speeds to cut sheets or vdiie'rent lengths,Eitherthe front knife-or the back knife can cut either the irontstrip'ortheback Vstrip and provision is made for automatically shiftingthe controls in accordance'with the kni'ffethat'is used to cut aparticular strip.

Since certain further changes, can be madc'i'n the Aforegoingconstruction and system and diie'rent embodiments of Vthe invention canbe made without y departing vfromv the spirit and scope thereof, it isintendedthat all-matter shown in the accompanying drawings and describedhereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative' andnot in a limitingsense.

I claimv as my invention: d f

1. Apparatus forv automatically throwing out sheets of paper or the likecontaining defects, the sheets being cut lby aV rotaryknife from a'stripthat is fed thereto gata predetermined speed and being conveyedawaytherefrom by delivery means at a higher speed, comprising, incombination, strip recording means drivenin accordance with the speed atwhichthe strip .isfed to said knife,

, means for `detecting'the presence of a defectin said stripv at aposition kseveral sheetdleng'ths in advance of said knife andregisteringthe same on said recording means. a holding relay, `switchmeans Operated by said strip recording means when saididefect reaches apredetermined position relative to saidlknife for energizing said hold'-ing relay, sheetgrecording means driven in accordance With-.theSIJeSd atwhich the sheets are conveyed away by said deliverywmeans, meansoperated by Asaid hOlding ,relay for registeringon said sheet recordingmeans the sheet vcontaining thevdefect, a Sheet director cooperatingwith said delivery means to throw out sheets containing defects, andswitch ymeans operated by said sheet recordingv means when said sheetcentaine ing the defect reaches a predeterminedpositicn in advance ofsaid sheet director, vfor effecting edge or the sheet in advancethereof. u 3. The invention, asset forth in claiml; Where- 1n thedefect. detecting means comprises a, light the sheet containingthe'defect and theM ailing:

source on one side-ofthe strip, and lightsensify tive means on theopposite side thereof.

4. The invention, as set forth in claim Lwherein the defectdetectingmeans comprises alight source extending transversely of one side or saidstrip, and light sensitivev means Yon the opposite side thereof located;attheiocalfpint of a parabolic reflector. H

5;r Ihe-inventionasset forth in claim 1, wherein the strip recordingmeans comprises a wheel having a plurality of transversely shiftablevpins near its periphery, a cam depresses one or more pins in responseto operation of the defect detecting means whereby the defect isregistered, and a cam is moved by the depressed pin or pins toloperatethe switch for energizing the holding re ay.

6. The invention, as set forth Vin claim l, wherein a switch is operatedwhen the sheet Y ing' th dft is Gilt from the YSt'l'ip lby the kllfcontain- 19 to complete the circuit through the holding relay forregistering said sheet on the sheet recording means.

7. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet recordingmeans comprises a wheel having a plurality of transversely shiftablepins near its periphery, a cam depresses one or more of the pins inresponse to operation of the holding relay whereby the sheet containingthe defect is registered thereon, and a cam is moved by the depressedpin or pins to operate the switch means for effecting operation of thesheet director.

8. The invention, as set forth in claim l, wherein the sheet recordingmeans comprises a wheel having a plurality of transversely shiftablepins near its periphery, a cam depresses one or more of the pins inresponse to operation of the holding relay whereby the sheet containingthe defect is registered thereon, a cam is moved by the depressed pin orpins to operate the switch means for effecting operation of the sheetdirector, and means are provided for changing the arcuate distancebetween said cams in accordance with the length of the sheets being cutby the knife.

9. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet recordingmeans comprises a wheel having a plurality of transversely shiftablepins near its periphery, a cam depresses one or more of the pins inresponse to operation of the holding relay whereby the sheet containingthe defect is registered thereon, a cam is moved by the depressed pin orpins to operate the switch means for effecting operation of the sheetdirector, and means are provided for changing the arcuate distancebetween said cams in accordance with the speed at which the kniferevolves.

10. The invention, as set forth in claim l, wherein means are providedfor preventing operation of the sheet director until the same can beoperated in the space between the leading edge of the sheet containingthe defect and the trailing edge of the sheet in advance thereofcomprising a light source, and light sensitive means so positionedrelative thereto that light rays from the former impinge upon the latteronly when said space is in a predetermined location.

1-1. Apparatus for automatically throwing out sheets of paper or thelike containing defects, the sheets being cut by either a front or aback rotary knife disposed in tandem with the back knife nearer to thesource of the sheets from a strip when said sheet containing the defectreaches a predetermined position in advance of said sheet director foreffecting operation thereof to its throw out position, whereupon saidsheet is discarded, and transfer switch means operable from one positionto another to shift the control of said holding relay from one of saidswitch means operated by said strip recording means to the other and toshift the control of said sheet director from one of said switch meansoperated by the corresponding sheet recording means to the other.

12. The invention, as set forth injclaim 11, Y

wherein the transfer switch means is electromagnetically operated and aswitch controls the operation thereof in accordance with whether thesheets are cut by the front or the back knife.

13. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein means are providedfor preventing operation of the sheet director until the same can beoperated in the space between the leading edge of the sheet containingthe defect and the trailing edge of the sheet in advance thereof.

14. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein two strips are fedsimultaneously to the knives, one to the back knife and the other to thefront knife; and the defect detecting means comprises a light sourceextending transversely of one side of the strip, and light sensitivemeans on the ,opposite side individual to each strip and located at thefocal point of a parabolic reflector.

that is fed thereto at a predetermined speed and being conveyed awaytherefrom by delivery means at a higher speed, comprising, incombination, strip recording means driven in accordance with the speedat which the strip is fed to the knife cutting the same, means fordetecting the presence of a defect in said strip at a position severalsheet lengths in advance of said back knife and registering the same onsaid recording means, a holding relay, switch means individual to eachknife disposed to be operated by said strip recording means when saiddefect reaches a predetermined positioned relative to the knife beingused for energizing said holding relay, sheet recording means individualtoeach knife and driven in accordance with the speedV at which thesheets are conveyed away by said delivery means, means operated by saidholding relay for registering on said sheet recording means the sheetcontaining the defect, a sheet director cooperating with said deliverymeans to.

throw out sheets containing defects, switch means operated by each sheetrecording means 15. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein twostrips are fed simultaneously to the knives, one to the back knife andthe other to the front knife; the defect detecting means comprises alight source extending transversely of one side of the strip, and lightsensitive means on the opposite side individual to each 'strip andlocated at the focal point of a parabolic reflector; and means areprovided for varying the length of the opening of each reflector throughwhich the rays from said source pass to correspond to the width of thestrip individual thereto.

16. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the strip recordingmeans comprises a wheel having a plurality of transversely shiftablepins near its periphery, a cam depresses one or more pins in response tooperation of the defect detecting means whereby the defect isregistered, and a pair of cams is arcuately spaced from each otherandfrom the first mentioned cam around said wheel and they are sequentiallymoved by the depressed pin or pins to operate the switch meansindividual to each'knife for energizing the holding relay, the arcuatedistance between said first mentioned cam and each of said pair of camscorresponding to the length of the strip between said defect detectingmeans and the knife associated with the corresponding cam of said pairof cams.

17. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein a switch isoperated when the sheet containing the defect is cut from the strip bythe knife associated therewith to complete the circuit through theholding relay for registering said sheet on the sheet recording meansindividual toy Vby the depressed pin or pins to operate the switchV 21means for effecting operation of the sheet director.

19. The invention, as set forth in claim 11, wherein each sheetrecording means comprises a Wheel having a plurality of transverselyshiftable pins near its outer periphery, a cam de- .presses one or moreof the pins in response to operation of the holding relay whereby thesheet containing the defect is registered, a cam is moved by thedepressed pin or pins to operate the switch means for effectingoperation of the sheet director, and means are provided for changing thearcuate distance between said cams in accordance with the length of thesheets being cut by the associated knife.

20. The invention, as set forth in claim k11, wherein a single strip iscut to form two strips and they are fed simultaneously to the knives,and the apparatus recited in claim 16 is duplicated for each strip.

LAWRENCE A. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

